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© Victòria Rovira Casanovas

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GYPSY WEDDING

GYPSY WEDDING

Catalonia, Spain. 2019

Wedding of Toti Díaz (18) and Rafi Amador (16), two gypsies who got married in the Planada of Sabadell neighborhood (Barcelona).

The gypsy community is very present in this city where about 10,000 people live and weddings are its identity; a tradition that has been perpetuated over the years. In fact, for each wedding there is a significant financial effort. In the case of Rafi and Toti, both families saved for two years to be able to “invite” 500 people and as tradition dictates: with all kinds of details and luxuries. The difference between other communities is that they do not make lists and do not ask their guests for money; only if they want, they put it in the cake or between the bride’s dress to the ballroom.

The education of the girls is oriented to keep their honor (virginity), to give it to the future husband, which is a source of pride for the families. The handkerchief test (yeli) is done by the “ajuntaora” who is in charge of extracting 3 pink spots from the ruptured hymen.

Toti's relatives celebrate, in front of their house and to the rhythm of clapping, that he is already dressed and ready to receive his future wife.
Toti's relatives celebrate, in front of their house and to the rhythm of clapping, that he is already dressed and ready to receive his future wife.
Toti leaving his house dressed as a groom and received with sweets from his relatives.
Toti leaving his house dressed as a groom and received with sweets from his relatives.
Toti's relatives to the rhythm of clapping.
Toti's relatives to the rhythm of clapping.
Rafi, inside her room and dressed in her first wedding dress.
Rafi, inside her room and dressed in her first wedding dress.
Family member accessing the Rafi photo session.
Family member accessing the Rafi photo session.
Rafi's sister at home.
Rafi's sister at home.
Relatives of the Rafi put on makeup.
Relatives of the Rafi put on makeup.
A woman holds her child during the scarf test (yeli).
A woman holds her child during the scarf test (yeli).
The mother of the groom celebrates the affirmation of the purity of the bride (virginity) during the test of the handkerchief.
The mother of the groom celebrates the affirmation of the purity of the bride (virginity) during the test of the handkerchief.
The Rafi right after the handkerchief test and the crown peel toss.
The Rafi right after the handkerchief test and the crown peel toss.
All the family members celebrating the honor of the family right after the “yeli” while they make the couple dance.
All the family members celebrating the honor of the family right after the “yeli” while they make the couple dance.
Rafi with a new dress in the ballroom.
Rafi with a new dress in the ballroom.
Guests partying in the ballroom.
Guests partying in the ballroom.
During the speech of the relatives and with the test of the handkerchief in hand.
During the speech of the relatives and with the test of the handkerchief in hand.
Guests during the speech.
Guests during the speech.
Men singing flamenco outside the venue.
Men singing flamenco outside the venue.
Guests deposit money between the bride's gown.
Guests deposit money between the bride's gown.
The Ballroom with the guests.
The Ballroom with the guests.